“Help! I’m Too Busy, and Something Needs to Change…”

How many times have you found yourself saying this in the past month?

I get it – believe me, I’ve been there. In fact, just last year, I hit that tipping point myself. The balance between work and life had tipped way off-kilter, and the demands on my time meant I was spending more hours at my desk than with my family. It started to take a toll on us all.

So, I decided to make a change. I did something I hadn’t done in ages: I took my kids out of school for a few days, and we went on a family trip to Lego Land. It was a much-needed reset. No laptop, no work calls – just quality time (okay, my phone was technically with me, but no work interruptions, I swear).

As I stood in the hour-long line for Flight of the Sky Lion (fellow Lego Land visitors, you know the struggle), it hit me: this constant state of being “too busy” is unsustainable. It’s bad for my family, and ultimately, it’s bad for my business.

If you’re feeling the same way, don’t worry—there’s good news. This can be fixed.

Below, I’ve outlined four simple questions to help you take control, reduce overwhelm, and get back on track. Grab your to-do list, and let’s do this together!

1. Does This Really Need to Be Done? (If Yes, Now or Later?)

A lot of items on our to-do lists either:

• Don’t need to be done at all: These are “maybes” or “wouldn’t it be nice ifs” – ideas you’ve been toying with but haven’t actually committed to. Ideas aren’t to-dos. Move them to a separate list.
• Don’t need to be done now: When you don’t plan strategically, everything can feel urgent. Take a moment to reassess – what truly needs your attention this week? Next month? Next quarter?

Go through your list and assign realistic due dates to each task. This simple step will help you prioritize and reduce the immediate pressure.

2. Do I Need to Be the One to Do This?

As business owners, we often fall into the trap of thinking we have to do everything ourselves. Sound familiar?

Go through your list again and ask: Could someone else handle this task for me?

Be mindful of these common thoughts:

• “I’m the only one here, so I have to do it.” If you don’t have support yet, that’s okay—acknowledge that growth will eventually require you to hire help. Start planning for this now.
• “No one can do it as well as I can.” Be careful here! This mindset can become a huge roadblock to growth. Even if you’re the best at a task, you can train someone to match your level or find an expert who already excels.

The goal is to identify tasks that could be delegated, either to current team members or future hires. This step doesn’t mean you have to make changes overnight, but it lays the groundwork for easing your workload long-term.

3. How Can I Create More Space?

Now that you have a focused list of immediate tasks, it’s time to ensure you have the bandwidth to tackle them effectively. Here’s how:

• Plan Ahead: Schedule time on your calendar for specific tasks or categories (e.g., writing, client calls). Treat this time as non-negotiable.
• Set Boundaries: Productivity thrives in distraction-free environments. Turn off notifications, close your inbox, and communicate your availability clearly to team members, clients, and even family.

Getting good at saying “no” is also key—people will test your boundaries, but holding firm will ultimately help you protect your time and energy.

4. Do I Need to Renegotiate Any Deadlines?

If you’re truly overwhelmed and can’t meet all your commitments, it’s time to have honest conversations with those who are counting on you.

Reach out to clients, team members, or collaborators to revise deadlines where necessary. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, proactive communication is always better than leaving people in the dark.

Most people will appreciate your transparency and be open to adjustments, especially when you approach the conversation early and with solutions in mind.

Reclaim Control Over Your Time

These four questions are a simple yet powerful tool for navigating the overwhelm that comes with being too busy. Revisit this process whenever you feel things spiraling out of control – it’ll help you re-balance and refocus, time and time again.

If you’re ready to break free from the hamster wheel of constant busyness, I’m here to help. Let’s have a coffee chat and identify five tasks you can offload right now to start easing the pressure.

You’ve got this – and I’d love to support you on your journey. Book a call today!